Our Solution

As bio-processing technologies continue to improve, the use of biomass as a renewable resource will become more and more attractive. Biomass exists in many forms and is produced by diverse industrial processes. Paper recycling plants, in particular, generate a copious amount of waste biomass in the form of paper sludge. Costly disposal of this waste stream typically occurs via landfill, or through inefficient combustion. This is somewhat shocking because paper sludge is actually a significant source of valuable cellulose. Through our integrated bio-processing strategy, we can exploit this cellulose to produce high-value chemicals while simultaneously having a positive impact on waste management.

At Upcycled Aromatics, work is underway on the design of an integrated bioprocessing facility. In conjunction with an enzymatic hydrolysis, engineered bacteria will transform the paper sludge waste stream into aromatic platform chemicals. The engineered bacteria will have the ability to produce a variety of aromatic chemicals - controlled by process conditions such that modification of one parameter results in the production of one specific chemical. The biosynthetic pathway under investigation will allow us to produce shikimic acid, cinnamic acid and it's derivatives.

The details of our solution can be found in two sections: